MEET ME IN THE CAPITAL

The top 10 places to host a meeting, event or team- building exercise in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi’s top 10 meeting and events venues at a glance

1 Louvre Abu Dhabi

The iconic Louvre Abu Dhabi offers several enticing event spaces that are perfect for pre or post tours of the museum and its exhibitions. One option is the modern Art Lounge, located on the rooftop overlooking the city skyline and the Arabian Gulf and ideal for sunset cocktails and canapés. For exclusive fine dining, Fouquet’s Abu Dhabi is a Champs-Elysées brasserie tucked away in the heart of the museum. In collaboration with Michelin-starred Chef Pierre

Gagnaire, it presents an exceptional culinary journey and is perfect for a business lunch or dinner with wow factor. The restaurant’s cosy Marta Bar can also be hired for private events and shakes up a sophisticated collection of cocktails and mocktails. louvreabudhabi.ae; fouquetsabudhabi.com

2 St. Regis Abu Dhabi

This luxurious urban resort overlooking the Corniche Beach offers some of the UAE capital’s most standout event locations. For something fun, the Nation Riviera Beach Club with a 200-metre sandy beach can host teambuilding activities with a difference. The hotel is also home to the world’s highest suspended suite, which can be hired for events, meetings or dining experiences, plus a helipad where you can wow guests with sunset drinks and a stunning backdrop. marriott.com

3 Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara

Arguably one of Abu Dhabi’s most stunning resorts, this five-star retreat, located in the Empty Quarter and a 90-minute drive from the city, was built to resemble an old Arabian fortress and as you approach by road, it emerges like a mirage from the sand dunes. The meeting and event options are dynamic and authentic and include the Liwa Ballroom, which can host up to 350 guests for an Emirati-style banquet, as well as six restaurants and bars, some overlooking the pool or desert dunes. Desert dining experiences range from intimate private set-ups with butler service or a more casual BBQ. For teambuilding or post-meeting activities, guests can enjoy activities such as fat biking, dune bashing and falconry displays. If you really want to impress your clients, arrange a helicopter arrival. anantara.com

4 Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi

Yas Island is the entertainment hub of Abu Dhabi, with these two theme parks the jewel in the island’s crown of attractions. Both parks offer venue spaces with a difference, giving colleagues and clients the chance to enjoy exhilarating rides and experiences before sitting down to business. At Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, team-building programmes include full-day training, handson coaching and out-of-the-box challenges and of course, no visit is complete without a ride on the world’s fastest rollercoaster, Formula Rossa. At Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi, try 29 exhilarating rides, enjoy live entertainment and meet iconic characters including Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman for a memorable corporate occasion with a fun edge. ferrariworldabudhabi.com; wbworldabudhabi.com

5 Saadiyat Beach Club

Located on Abu Dhabi’s best beach, Saadiyat Beach Club offers an assortment of meeting spaces and a full-time in-house events team to help you plan the perfect gathering. Venues at this lifestyle destination range from the poolside terrace and the beach to restaurants, a Library Lounge and stunning lawns. Stage a meeting, business lunch or glamorous evening event and unwind in a cabana by the pool when your work is done. www.saadiyatbeachclub.ae

6 The Annex, The Abu Dhabi EDITION

Located in the trendy Al Bateen Marina area, The Abu Dhabi EDITION is one of the city’s coolest new business-friendly hotels. It offers flexible event spaces including a large ballroom with breakout areas, plus The Annex ( pictured) – a multi-level social hub featuring an array of dining and entertainment experiences, including a rooftop bar with fire pit, which is available for hire. For a standout dinner, host guests at the wood-panelled Oak Room restaurant – a British inspired steak house – followed by drinks at the opulent Library Bar. editionhotels.com

7 Zaya Nurai Island

A 15-minute speedboat journey from Saadiyat Island takes you to the private island resort of Zaya Nurai. Reminiscent of the Maldives it features 32 villas with direct beach access, along with five restaurants and bars, plus additional event spaces. Stage a meeting in a villa beside the pool or takeover Smokin’ Pineapple for a social evening with a relaxed beach setting. An open-air cinema and inhouse DJs ensure events have a sensational impact. zayanuraiisland.com

8 Andaz Capital Gate 9 W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island

The only hotel globally to straddle an F1 track, W Abu Dhabi attracts petrol heads and business travellers alike and offers 26 event rooms and an experienced planning and catering team. Choose from conference rooms with flexible set ups and larger venues at the hotel and Yas Marina Circuit, or go all out at the ‘Extreme WOW’ Presidential Suite with its own lap pool and separate dining and living rooms, located underneath the hotel’s iconic roof. marriott.com

10 The Terrace, Manarat Al Saadiyat

Manarat Al Saadiyat was the first building to open on Saadiyat Island and marked the launch of Saadiyat Cultural District, which will become home to many cultural attractions in the future. The venue showcases temporary exhibitions and events, including the Abu Dhabi Art Festival. The Terrace at Manarat Al Saadiyat is an al fresco space designed to host functions and activities, from dining experiences and corporate events to meetings and team-building yoga. Another option is the LARTE project – a top-end dining concept from Milan serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, with irresistible cakes and coffee in between. manaratalsaadiayat.ae